Don't reveal the secrets of love and intoxication to the contentious one, Ghazal 435 by Hafez

By hamed @hamed | poet: Hafez Shirazi

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Description:

In this ghazāl, Hafez explores themes of love, spirituality, and the nature of existence. He uses vivid imagery and metaphors to convey his ideas.

Key Themes:

Love and intoxication: The poet emphasizes the importance of love and spiritual intoxication.
Spiritual journey: The poem suggests a journey towards spiritual enlightenment and union with the divine.
The nature of reality: Hafez questions the nature of reality and the limitations of human understanding.


English Translation for Ghazal

Don't reveal the secrets of love and intoxication to the contentious one
Let him die unaware in the pain of his self-worship


Become a lover, or else one day the world’s work will end
Without reading the design of the purpose from the workshop of existence

Last night that idol spoke so sweetly in the gathering of the magi
What business do you have with the infidels if you don't worship idols?

My king, God, your curls have broken us
How long will this darkness extend its long hand?

How can one be hidden in a corner of safety
Until your narcissus tells us the secrets of intoxication

That day I had seen these troubles arise
That from your stubbornness, you would not sit with us

Your love will be handed over to the storm, Hafez
Like lightning from this struggle, you thought you had escaped

Ghazal in Persian

با مدّعی مگویید اسرار عشق و مستی

تا بی‌خبر بمیرد در درد خودپرستی

 

عاشق شو ار نه روزی کارِ جهان سرآید

ناخوانده نقش مقصود از کارگاهِ هستی

 

دوش آن صنم چه خوش گفت در مجلس مغانم

با کافران چه کارت گر بت نمی‌پرستی؟

 

سلطان من خدا را، زلفت شکست ما را

تا کی کند سیاهی چندین درازدستی؟

 

در گوشهٔ سلامت مستور چون توان بود

تا نرگس تو با ما گوید رموز مستی

 

آن روز دیده بودم این فتنه‌ها که برخاست

کز سرکشی زمانی با ما نمی‌نشستی

 

عشقت به دست طوفان خواهد سپرد حافظ

چون برق از این کشاکش پنداشتی که جستی


hamed
@hamed Oct. 11, 2024, 6:38 p.m.

Key Persian terms and nuances:

مدّعی: contender, claimant
مغانم: magi, wise men
نرجس: narcissus, a type of flower often used to symbolize the beloved's eye

Some of the nuances that are difficult to fully capture in translation include:

The intricate use of imagery: Hafez often uses multiple layers of symbolism and metaphor to convey his meaning.
The musicality of the Persian language: The sounds and rhythms of the Persian language contribute significantly to the emotional impact of the poem.
Sufi concepts: The poem is rich in Sufi symbolism and concepts, which can be challenging to convey in a different cultural context.